2
points
Using spoiled straw for mulch: any disadvantages?

General    northern California

The good news: straw bales are available at one of the community gardens.

The bad news: the straw bales cost $10 and have not been stored well, so they are mostly spoiled. I hauled one out from under the tarp and not only was it crawling with ants, but at least half of it was dark brown/black. (I untied it to air it out and watered it a little to encourage the ants to relocate.)

I've heard that a lot of people prefer using spoiled hay/straw (mostly because of the cost?), but I have new seedlings as well as established vegetable plants to mulch, and I'm wondering if there are any downsides to using it. I'll probably cover my face while I'm working with it if I see mold spores.


Posted by: Tanya in the Garden (128 points) Tanya in the Garden
Posted: June 7, 2013


Tanya in the Garden commented,
Thanks for all the comments! The straw turned out to be slimy but not moldy. The ants were scarce enough the next day that I could handle it, so I divided the bale into "books" to air out in the sun. Some of these thinner sections are still moist inside.
almost 11 years ago.



Answers
2
points
old straw should work perfectly fine! I would lay it on the surface for a day then incorporate it into the top layer of soil. It is a great nitrogen source, and it will also keep a lot of weeds down. Composted straw is a huge component of manures you can get, so I can't imagine that that straw would harm the plants.

From a plant pathology perspective....there really aren't any straw pathogens that attack vegetables so if you're worried about crossing over of diseases, you should be ok.


Posted by: Kathryn Fiedler (72 points) Kathryn Fiedler
Posted: June 13, 2013




1
point
I've used a lot of moldy straw and hay (some hay so slimy it had almost liquefied) over the years with no ill effects on my plants. Of course the word of one gardener doesn't constitute hard proof of safety.

The upside: straw takes a long time (and a lot of nitrogen) to decompose, so you're part-way there. Too bad you had to pay such an exorbitant price, though, Tanya. Another good reason to stockpile fall leaves and pine needles (which you may not have in quite such abundance as we in New England do).


Posted by: Peg Boyles (4 points) Peg Boyles
Posted: June 8, 2013




1
point
I cannot help you with an answer of yes or no, but I will caution you to be sure to wear a very good mask/filter (not a bandana) when handling it. It may be fine on vegetables, but the spores of mold are not fine in your lungs.


Posted by: Susan League, UF/IFAS Sumter Program Assistant (1 point) Susan League, UF/IFAS Sumter Program Assistant
Posted: June 8, 2013




1
point
There may be an ant nest in the bale but I suspect they were there collecting food. So, they should relocate and by placing the straw spread out in the sun you could reduce the mold and the ants before you then apply.


Posted by: David Hughes (67 points) David Hughes
Posted: June 9, 2013




1
point
The information I have received from local farmers here, in rural MS is that decomposed straw is the best, So leave your bale out for a while, and that when its too fresh its too bright and there fore attracts too much heat. Does that make sense? Maybe for the extremely hot Mississippi sun. But as a rule, decomposing materials are whats great for the soil. Also, a bale of straw goes a long way.


Posted by: Hilary Maslon (2 points) Hilary Maslon
Posted: June 14, 2013




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